The nuclear industry faces an uncertain future as the reactor building boom is struck by unexpected costs, serious technical problems, and long, expensive delays, writes Paul Brown. Meanwhile renewables like wind and solar are offering investors an enviable combination of falling cost, low risk, fast build times, predictable returns and minimal long term liabilities.
… Time and money run out for nuclear revival Paul Brown | … budget. £100 billion anyone? Where will the money come from? Delays of years in …
'Pay up or there's no deal', a coalition of 134 developing nations have warned the rich industrial countries at COP21 in Paris - the ones that caused the climate problem in the first place. As Paul Brown writes, much more than the $64 billion so far pledged will be needed to get them on board.
… and we will not stand for it." The money must be new, additional, and given - not … developing countries would not spend their money helping poorer ones. He believed that … the claimed $64 billion was even 'real money': "Is it new money, or money diverted …
The ever-falling cost of renewable energy could leave investors in coal, gas and oil seriously out of pocket as demand for fossil fuels falls away, writes Paul Brown. In the wake of the Paris Agreement and shrinking markets in major importing countries, the smart money is moving into renewables.
… in major importing countries, the smart money is moving into renewables. Investors in … being warned that they may risk losing their money , because the markets for coal and … for the fuels if investors are to get their money back. The first report, ' Stranded …
Doubts are growing doubts that the Hinkley C nuclear power station, the EU's biggest construction project, will get the final go-ahead from the UK government, writes Paul Brown. And that's leaving the European nuclear industry, already in serious financial difficulties, facing a struggle for survival.
… whether the nuclear reactors were value for money for British consumers. Peter Atherton, … Pressurised water Reactor (EPR), have money troubles. Last week, Areva suspended … fears that, once this project begins, so much money will have been invested that the …
Financial experts warn investors that their money is being used by oil companies for high-risk projects, reports Paul Brown, on the assumption that oil prices will go on rising, with little or no regard for climate change. $1.1 trillion could be at risk.
… Financial experts warn investors that their money is being used by oil companies for … Financial experts warn investors that their money is being used by oil companies for …
The charity SolarAid has just celebrated 1.5 million small solar lighting installations in Africa, writes Paul Brown - an important milestone on its mission to get solar lighting into all of Africa's homes by 2020, and see out dangerous, polluting kerosene lamps.
… 2015 News Energy Renewables Africa sunnymoney.jpg The charity SolarAid has just … The charity says that a solar lamp saves money because buying kerosene or candles uses … climate change. In 2006 SolarAid set up SunnyMoney , a social enterprise that sells the …
Paul Brown, co-editor of the Climate News Network, makes his final despatch from Warsaw on the unscheduled last day of the climate talks. Compromises on all sides have kept hopes alive - just!
… the use of an existing mechanism to provide money from rich nations for loss and damage … yet which countries are going to provide this money remains unstated. One outstanding …
Nuclear giant EDF could be heading towards bankruptcy, writes Paul Brown, as it faces a perfect storm of under-estimated costs for decommissioning, waste disposal and Hinkley C. Meanwhile income from power sales is lagging behind costs, and 17 of its reactors are off-line for safety tests. Yet French and UK governments are turning a blind eye to the looming financial crisis.
… in Japan. New nuclear stations Even more money is required to finish new nuclear … England, and it is hard to see where all the money will come from. To help the …
A report published ahead of tomorrow's UN Climate Summit shows that we can meet all our energy needs from renewables, writes Paul Brown - poor nations and prosperous, tiny islands and great cities, in any part of the globe. And some are doing it already ....
… the switch has the combined effect of saving money for the community concerned and creating …
The recent closure of five US power stations is forcing the industry to confront big questions about radioactive waste, writes Paul Brown. Who is to pay the mounting costs of managing the wastes and keeping them secure? And precisely where will be their final resting place?
… a problem that can be ignored. The sums of money that governments will have to find to …
MPs today grilled EDF Energy supremo Vincent de Rivaz over the troubled Hinkley C nuclear plant in Somerset. He insisted that the project was definitely going ahead - but refused to say when the 'final investment decision' was due. Confused? Bewildered? Frustrated? So were the MPs.
… relentless ministerial rhetoric on value for money for consumers, especially compared to … relentless ministerial rhetoric on value for money for consumers, when wind and solar power …
China has now overtaken the European Union as the largest new market for solar power, writes Paul Brown - as solar PV becomes one of the world's fastest growing industries - and one that's sure to keep on getting cheaper!
… your own power for use at night will save money, as well as reducing peaks in national …
After a second extra day of climate talks in Lima, an agreement has been cobbled together. Deadlines have been set for the world to come up with plans to curb emissions and adapt to climate change - but has been no progress on the key divisive issues, and the prospects of an effective mew treaty in Paris next year remain remote.
… more dramatic curbs on emissions, and more money for adaptation to sea level rise and …
Governments are still spending billions on nuclear research, writes Paul Brown - but 2015 looks like being an unhappy year for the industry as it continues to shrink while renewables grow, amid massive delays and cost over-runs.
… increasingly sceptical about putting their money into nuclear - whereas renewables …
A legacy of lies and covered-up accidents has left nuclear energy with a serious credibility gap, writes Paul Brown. But poor safety is only the beginning of the industry's problems. With 'new improved' reactor designs all running late and way over budget, any nuclear revival can only be sustained at massive, unaffordable taxpayer cost.
… do so - and many governments continue to pour money into research and development. They do …